Basch, a 5-foot-11, 195 pound junior linebacker, was the defensive difference-maker in the Spires’ 34-31 win over McPherson (Kan.) on Oct. 29. He finished with 12 tackles (7 solo), including 2.0 tackles-for-a-loss, 1.0 sack, two interceptions and one forced fumble. He returned one pick for a 30-yard touchdown that put Saint Mary on the board in the first quarter. His other interception led to a score by the Spires offense. The native of Las Vegas, N.V., ranks third in the NAIA in tackles-for-loss (19.5) and 10th in tackles per game (10.1).
Buresh, a 5-foot-6, 165 pound sophomore kicker, broke a school record in the 29-3 victory over Concordia (Neb.) on Saturday. The native of Lincoln, Neb., connected on a school-best five field goals, which shattered the previous mark of three. Two of his kicks were from 35-plus yards out, including a 42-yarder to cap off the scoring in the fourth quarter. Those field goals were his first on the season as he is now 5-of-6 in that category.
van den Raadt, a 6-foot-3, 210 pound senior quarterback, accumulated 388 yards of total offense and scored four touchdowns in the 51-28 win over Southern Oregon on Saturday. In the passing game, he went 14-of-26 for 216 yards and two scores. He complemented that effort with 172 rushing yards on 19 carries (9.1 ypc) and two touchdowns. van den Raadt led his squad to 512 yards of total offense. He ranks fourth in the NAIA in rushing yards per game (107.9) and fifth in total offense (2,381 yards). The native of Mira Loma, Calif., set Azusa Pacific's career completions record (501) over his four-year ledger.
Offensive Nominees: Greg Charles, Grand View (Iowa); James McClain, Cumberland (Tenn.); Brett Giesen, Kansas Wesleyan; Burton Losefa, Central Methodist (Mo.); Brandon Smith, Northwestern (Iowa); Kyle Jech, Northwestern Oklahoma State; Chris Ware, Eastern Oregon; Chris Hart, Webber International (Fla.); Ken Eliacin, Valley City State (N.D.); Brennan Haughian, Dickinson State (N.D.); Robert Adan, Menlo (Calif.); Patrick Donahue, Southern Oregon.
Defensive Nominees: Nathan Schott, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Michael Prosser, Saint Xavier (Ill.); Preston Bruss, Peru State (Neb.); Michael Hicks, Southern Nazarene (Okla.); Blake Young, Campbellsville (Ky.); Nate Keller, Webber International (Fla.); Victor Sanchez, Ave Maria (Fla.); Connor O'Neill, Montana Tech; Chris Tosello, Menlo (Calif.).
Special Teams Nominees: Elliot Allen, St. Francis (Ill.); Tom Lynch, Saint Xavier (Ill.); Ezequiel Rivera, Central Methodist (Mo.); Bobby Schattle, Saint Mary (Kan.); David Hon, Campbellsville (Ky.); Edgar Colmenares, Northwestern Oklahoma State; Mason Prater, Webber International (Fla.); Juan Garcia, Montana State-Northern; Nick Falkiewicz, Ave Maria (Fla.).
2011 Football Players of the Week (Offense; Defense; Special Teams)
Week 1: Brandon Smith, Northwestern (Iowa); Reece Green, Marian (Ind.); Marcus Bratton, UVa-Wise (Va.)
Week 2: Chris Ware, Eastern Oregon; Vincent Aguilar, Trinity International (Ill.); Levi Cockle, Peru State (Neb.)
Week 3: Josh Hollingsworth, Faulkner (Ala.); Ross Bauman, Saint Francis (Ind.); Terry Stecker, Kansas Wesleyan
Week 4: Trevor Hoskins, Pikeville (Ky.); Demitri Travis, Pikeville (Ky.); Alex Fambrough, Bethany (Kan.)
Week 5: Jimmy Coy, Saint Xavier (Ill.); Nate Collier, Graceland (Iowa); Tom Lynch, Saint Xavier (Ill.)
Week 6: E.J. White, St. Francis (Ill.); Eric Sheppard, Marian (Ind.); James McClain, Cumberland (Tenn.)
Week 7: Cameron Fore, Benedictine (Kan.); Mike Siegersma, Carroll (Mont.); Aukkarapong Sribenjakul, Montana Western
Week 8: E.J. White, St. Francis (Ill.); Dantren Anderson, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.); Tom Lynch, Saint Xavier (Ill.)
Week 9: John van den Raadt, Azusa Pacific (Calif.); Cris Basch, Saint Mary (Kan.); Treyton Buresh, Midland (Neb.)
